Improvement in machines for binding grain



F is the band-reel.

UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMNT m MACHINBS FOR BINDING- GRAIN, 8cc.

Specz'jicat'ion form' ng part of Letters Patent No. 15,436, dated July 29, 1856.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that' I, WAsHINGroN F. PA- GETT, of Stone Bridge, in the county of Clarke, in the State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Binding Wheat and other Grain in the Sheaf, and binding the samein the shocks; also for binding corn in the shock, and corn-fodder in the shock and bundles; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 an end View thereof.

The nature of my invention consists in an improvement in machines for binding Wheat and other grains in the sheaf or shocks, and cornshocks and corn-fodderin the shock or b'undles, with a metallic band, hereinafter'described.

- The machine is made as follows: A is a shaft. B is a rack. O is a driving-wheel. l) is a band-conductor. E E are side pieces. G is the band. II is a fender. I is a spring. The side pieces E E are attached near the center of the shaft A, and have on their insides each two groovesthe upper just under the shaft A, the other some twelve inches below. These grooves, being opposite, form two rabbets, in the upper of which the'rack B works; in the lower the conductor 1) works. The driving-wheel is about ten inches in diameter, and works between the side pieces E E. Its shaft projects on one side to receive a crank, and on the other acts as a spindle for the band-reel F. The shaft A is, when used for binding in the sheaf, about three feet long; the rear end, when ot' wood, about two inches wide by about one inch thick. The forward end may be somewhat reduced and rounded on the top, which, thus formed, serves as a way for the hook or ring ofthe band to slide upon, and has near its extremity an inclined hole for the attachment of the outward hook of the band Gr. The rack B has a line of cogs on its lower edge, and a 'loop or slide, J, on its forward end, which surrounds the way A and slides upon it, for the purpose of shoving off the hook or ring a. The reel F, which turns freely upon the spindle, has the bands wound upon it.

The operator will attach the enter hook b to V the forward end ofthe conductor D, which, havinga line of cogs on its upper edge, is driven forward by the wheel C. Then unhook the other end from those' on the reel F and hook it on the way A in front of the slide J, which is now withdrawn. The conductor is now run 'under the sheaf, and the hook removed from it 'and attached to the end of the way A, the sheaf being embraced by the band and a portion of the way A. 'The wheel O is now turned in a reversed direction, and the rack B slides the hook or ring off the end of the Way A, When it grapples the other hook. The sheaf is thus compressed and securely bound, and the band disengaged from the machine.

Bands for the harvest may be wound on a drum attached to the water-car of the field, and wound from that onto the reel, as Occasion requires; or thereel may haveaseries ofdetached rims, the empty one removed and a full one put on. l

The machine may be used without the reel and conductor, in which case the way A will be run under the sheat', having the ring of the band placed on the way in front of the slide; then attach the hook to the extremity of the way A, and move the ring oft' with the rack B and slide J. In using the nachine thus it may be best to curve the shaft and rack so that the point of the way may be elevated. To curve the shaft A in the opposite direction will be advantageous in binding shocks.

If the cogs on the rack or conductor either hang in the straw, Szc., the machine may be a little longer and the cogs on the rear end, or the cogs may -be sunken. I propose also to work the rack and conductor by a strap, chain, or cord attached to the rear end of the rack oroonductor, ,and to the driving-wheel, by turning which the rack or conductor will operate.

In working the curved rack, small frictionrollers may be used to make the operation easy one in the loop or slide J, and one, perhaps, between the side pieces E E, and bearin g against the rack. The spring I is used in connection with the band-reel F, and serves as a brake to steady the motion of the reel, and also to prevent the ends of the bands from falling down. The tender H is intended to raise `the straw, &c., when the conductor :is being withdrawn.

. other shape, and in strength about equal to a Wire one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter. The' length and strength will, of course, vary with the character of the substances to be bound.

The hooks b may be punched out of Sheet iron of proper thickness, or may be turned out of wire of sufificient strength,'having a small turn at one endforthe attachment of the band, and atthe other a turn or bow large enongh to fit on the way. v

When a ring is substituted for one of the hooks b it must be large enough to pass over the way A, and may be made also of sheet metal. v

In forning the wire hook one end may be flattened, and a hole punched through the fiat to receive the end of the band, which is carried through, turned back, and a twist or two made to secure it. a

The bands may have a loose or slidin g hook, in addition to those described, for the purpose of looking` together the cappi n g-sheaves of the staak or rick.

The band a G b represents its position when the conductor is used to pass it under the sheaf, it then being put in the position shown by the band a Gr b' preparatory to its being com- 'pressed, the dotted band a G b" representing it as in the act of being pushed forward to bind the grain.

a Having vthus described my 'invention and the manner of its operation, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is l 1. The way A, in combination with the slide J, or its equivalent, when operating in the manner and for the purposes described. 2. The band G, in combination with the Way A and slide J, for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name.

WASHINGTON F. PAGETT.

Witnesses J. G. MCUAWLEY, E. F. PAGETT. 

